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Monterey County Sheriff's Office Promotions

 

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto announced on Monday, November 20 that Commander Jason Smith has been promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy and Sergeant Veronica Olguin has been promoted to the rank of Commander effective November 18, 2023. Sheriff Nieto stated, “I spoke with both this morning about the expectation of leadership roles at their levels in the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. Both understood the responsibility that comes with their new positions, and their steadfast commitment to the personnel that make up this fine this organization to help create the best Sheriff’s Office in this state and eventually in this nation. We are all in this together.”

Chief Deputy Jason Smith has been a member of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Chief Smith started as an Explorer Scout Volunteer in 1989. He took a brief hiatus as a Volunteer Firefighter with the City of Marina in 1994 until he returned to his roots in law enforcement when he self- sponsored himself through the Gavilan Police Academy in Santa Clara County in 1997. Upon graduation from the police academy, he began his career with the Greenfield Police Department until an opportunity presented itself to become a Deputy Sheriff with the Sheriff’s Office in 1998. Chief Smith served in the Corrections and Enforcement Operations Bureaus as a Deputy Sheriff until he was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and Commander in 2020.

During Chief Smith’s career he has held various specialized positions within the organization such as a Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, SWAT Team Member, SWAT Team Leader, and SWAT Team Commander. Chief Smith has received various awards for her hard work and dedication to the Sheriff’s Office throughout his career. Chief Smith is honored by his selection by Sheriff Nieto and when informed of his promotion stated “I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Monterey County as I have throughout most of my life. Having been a lifelong resident of Monterey County and a second-generation member of this organization it is my honor to serve the public.” It should be noted Chief Smith’s father, the late Jim Smith retired from the Sheriff’s Office as a Chief Deputy Sheriff in 2002.

Commander Veronica Olguin has been a member of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for 27 years. Olguin self- sponsored herself through the Gavilan Police Academy in Santa Clara County and upon graduation in 1996 started her career with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff in the Corrections Operation Bureau. While serving as a deputy sheriff she was selected to perform the duties of a training officer. Commander Olguin was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2000 and continued her assignment in the Corrections Operations Bureau.

In additions to overseeing the various shifts at the County Jail, she has held various specialized positions within the Corrections Bureau such as Incarceration Services Sergeant, Court Services Sergeant, Transportation Unit Sergeant and most recently as an Acting Commander since April 2023. Commander Olguin has received various awards for her hard work and dedication to the Sheriff’s Office throughout her career. Commander Olguin is honored by her selection by Sheriff Nieto and when informed of her promotion stated a quoted from an unknown author, she said she tries to live her life by, “Go out and be the change you want to see in this world. “


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